How to Be Environmental Historian - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jun 16, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Industrialization has had a major effect on the environment throughout history. It has caused air and water pollution, deforestation, and the destruction of wildlife habitats. These effects have been particularly damaging to the global climate, resulting in higher temperatures, rising sea levels, and more extreme weather events.

These changes have had a direct impact on human health, leading to an increase in respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, mental health issues, and other health problems. it has caused serious damage to ecosystems, leading to species extinction, soil degradation, and a decrease in biodiversity. Industrialization has also caused economic losses due to the destruction of ecosystems and the depletion of natural resources.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelor's Degree. Environmental historians typically hold a bachelor's degree in history, environmental studies, geology, or a related field. Courses of study should include classes related to environmental history, such as environmental science, environmental law, and environmental policy.
Obtain Work Experience. Many environmental historians gain experience in the field by volunteering with organizations or government agencies that are involved in environmental protection. Internships or other volunteer opportunities will build experience and knowledge of the field and give potential employers an understanding of the applicant's dedication to the profession.
Pursue Graduate Education. Environmental historians may need to pursue a master's degree or Ph. D. in history or a related field, such as environmental studies. Graduate programs often include courses in environmental history, and many programs offer the opportunity to specialize in the field.
Get Certified. Most states require professional certification for environmental historians. Depending on the state, certification may be obtained by passing a licensing exam, completing continuing education courses, or both.
Build Professional Relationships. Environmental historians can benefit from networking with other professionals in the field. Joining professional organizations, attending conferences and workshops, and joining local groups devoted to environmental history can help build relationships with other professionals and increase job opportunities.

The increase in human population, combined with the destruction of natural habitats, has had a severe impact on the environment. This has caused an increase in global warming, air pollution, and soil degradation, which are all leading to more frequent and intense natural disasters. As a result, humans are facing ever-growing threats to their health, livelihoods, and quality of life.

To address this problem, it is essential that governments take action to reduce human population growth, protect natural habitats, and promote sustainable development. By doing so, people can ensure that future generations will have a safe and healthy environment to live in.

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Job Description

Environmental Historian: Conduct historical research on human interaction with the environment, analyze primary and secondary historical sources, and develop interpretative essays, reports, and other documents.
Museum Curator: Manage collections of artifacts, documents, and other materials related to environmental history in a museum setting.
Field Researcher: Collect, analyze, and interpret data from field visits to study the impacts of human activity on the environment, past and present.
GIS Technician: Utilize geographic information systems (GIS) technology to create and maintain maps, analyze environmental data sets, and interpret spatial trends.
Educator: Develop and teach courses on environmental history at the university level, as well as give presentations and lectures at other educational institutions.
Policy Analyst: Research, analyze, and develop policy recommendations concerning the relationship between human societies and the natural environment.
Archivist: Preserve and curate documents and artifacts related to environmental history for use by researchers, scholars, and the general public.
Writer/Editor: Write and edit articles, books, and other materials related to environmental history for academic and popular audiences.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Advanced knowledge of environmental history and its related disciplines, such as ecology, geography, and sociology.
Ability to analyze and synthesize information from a variety of sources.
Strong research and writing skills.
Proficiency in using computers for research, data analysis, and communication.
Knowledge of archival research methods, including the ability to locate and interpret primary sources.
Understanding of the role of environmental history in contemporary environmental debates.
Ability to communicate complex ideas effectively to a variety of audiences.
Understanding of the cultural and social contexts of environmental history.
Ability to use GIS (geographic information systems) and other digital mapping tools to analyze historical data.
Familiarity with the ethical considerations related to research in environmental history and public history.

Environmental historians study the relationships between humans and the natural environment throughout history. This involves researching and analyzing the effects of human activity on the environment, as well as studying how people have adapted to changing environmental conditions. To become an effective environmental historian, it is important to possess a variety of skills, including knowledge of ecology, geography, and climate science, a deep understanding of the history of human-environment interactions, and the ability to interpret complex data.

strong research, writing, and communication skills are essential for analyzing complex environmental and historical issues and presenting conclusions in a clear and comprehensive way. environmental historians must possess an appreciation for the complexity of the relationship between humans and their environment in order to effectively document, analyze, and interpret changes in the relationship over time.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What approaches do you take when researching an environmental issue?
What do you think are the most important aspects to consider when studying global environmental history?
How do you ensure accuracy in your research on historical environmental issues?
What methods do you use to analyze and interpret historical environmental data?
How have you applied your expertise in environmental history to solve problems?
What experience do you have in public outreach and communicating environmental history to a broader audience?
Explain why you believe environmental history is essential for understanding our current environmental challenges.
How have you incorporated theories of environmental justice into your research?
Describe the most interesting project or research youve done in environmental history.
What roles do you think environmental historians can play in developing sustainable solutions to environmental issues?

Common Tools in Industry

GIS (Geographic Information System). A software system that captures, stores, analyzes, and presents geographic information. (eg: ArcGIS, MapInfo)
Remote Sensing. A technology used to detect and analyze data in the form of images taken from aircraft or satellites. (eg: Landsat)
Historical Mapping Software. A computer-based tool used to create visual representations of historical landscapes and environments. (eg: Historical GIS)
Database Management Software. A computer program designed to store, organize, and analyze large amounts of data. (eg: Microsoft Access)
Text Analysis Software. A computer program used to identify patterns and trends in textual data. (eg: WordStat)
Data Visualization Software. A computer program used to create visual representations of data sets. (eg: Tableau)
Statistical Analysis Software. A computer program used to perform statistical calculations. (eg: SPSS, R)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Society for Environmental History (ASEH)
British Society for Environmental History (BSEH)
The Australian Society for Environmental History (ASEH)
Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences (AESS)
International Association for the Study of the Commons (IASC)
Association of American Geographers (AAG)
American Association of Geographers (AAG)
World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA)
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Society for Conservation Biology (SCB)

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Common Important Terms

Environmental History. The study of the interaction between humans and the environment over time.
Ecological Footprint. The amount of land and resources required to sustain a persons lifestyle.
Environmental Justice. A movement advocating for the fair treatment of communities affected by environmental issues.
Anthropogenic. Refers to human-caused environmental changes or effects.
Climate Change. Refers to the long-term changes to Earths climate due to human activities.
Pollution. The introduction of harmful substances into the environment.
Sustainability. The practice of using resources in ways that minimize damage to the environment.
Conservation. The practice of preserving natural resources.
Biodiversity. The variety of life in a given region.
Carbon Footprint. The amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases produced by a person or organization.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Environmental Historian?

Environmental History is the study of how humans interact with their environment over time, focusing on the historical relationships between people and the natural world.

What topics do Environmental Historians focus on?

Environmental Historians focus on topics such as climate change, resource extraction, conservation, pollution, land use, and energy production.

What sources do Environmental Historians use?

Environmental Historians use a variety of sources, such as historical documents, photographs, environmental data, and scientific studies.

What are the benefits of studying Environmental History?

Studying Environmental History helps us to better understand the current state of the environment and how different human activities have impacted it over time. It also enables us to better plan for the future and make more informed decisions about how to best use our resources.

What careers are available for those with a background in Environmental History?

There are many career opportunities for those with a background in Environmental History, such as environmental law, policy analysis, climate science, environmental education, and environmental consulting.